diff --git a/matterclient/channels.go b/matterclient/channels.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..84d43bae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matterclient/channels.go
@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+package matterclient
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/model"
+	log "github.com/sirupsen/logrus"
+)
+
+// GetChannels returns all channels we're members off
+func (m *MMClient) GetChannels() []*model.Channel {
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	var channels []*model.Channel
+	// our primary team channels first
+	channels = append(channels, m.Team.Channels...)
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		if t.Id != m.Team.Id {
+			channels = append(channels, t.Channels...)
+		}
+	}
+	return channels
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetChannelHeader(channelId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
+			if channel.Id == channelId {
+				return channel.Header
+			}
+
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetChannelId(name string, teamId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	if teamId != "" {
+		return m.getChannelIdTeam(name, teamId)
+	}
+
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
+			if channel.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
+				res := strings.Replace(channel.DisplayName, ", ", "-", -1)
+				res = strings.Replace(res, " ", "_", -1)
+				if res == name {
+					return channel.Id
+				}
+			}
+
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) getChannelIdTeam(name string, teamId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		if t.Id == teamId {
+			for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
+				if channel.Name == name {
+					return channel.Id
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetChannelName(channelId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		if t == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
+			if channel.Id == channelId {
+				if channel.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
+					res := strings.Replace(channel.DisplayName, ", ", "-", -1)
+					res = strings.Replace(res, " ", "_", -1)
+					return res
+				}
+				return channel.Name
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetChannelTeamId(id string) string { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	for _, t := range append(m.OtherTeams, m.Team) {
+		for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
+			if channel.Id == id {
+				return channel.TeamId
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetLastViewedAt(channelId string) int64 { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetChannelMember(channelId, m.User.Id, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return model.GetMillis()
+	}
+	return res.LastViewedAt
+}
+
+// GetMoreChannels returns existing channels where we're not a member off.
+func (m *MMClient) GetMoreChannels() []*model.Channel {
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	var channels []*model.Channel
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		channels = append(channels, t.MoreChannels...)
+	}
+	return channels
+}
+
+// GetTeamFromChannel returns teamId belonging to channel (DM channels have no teamId).
+func (m *MMClient) GetTeamFromChannel(channelId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	var channels []*model.Channel
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		channels = append(channels, t.Channels...)
+		if t.MoreChannels != nil {
+			channels = append(channels, t.MoreChannels...)
+		}
+		for _, c := range channels {
+			if c.Id == channelId {
+				if c.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
+					return "G"
+				}
+				return t.Id
+			}
+		}
+		channels = nil
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) JoinChannel(channelId string) error { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	for _, c := range m.Team.Channels {
+		if c.Id == channelId {
+			m.log.Debug("Not joining ", channelId, " already joined.")
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	m.log.Debug("Joining ", channelId)
+	_, resp := m.Client.AddChannelMember(channelId, m.User.Id)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateChannels() error {
+	mmchannels, resp := m.Client.GetChannelsForTeamForUser(m.Team.Id, m.User.Id, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
+	}
+	m.Lock()
+	m.Team.Channels = mmchannels
+	m.Unlock()
+
+	mmchannels, resp = m.Client.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(m.Team.Id, 0, 5000, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
+	}
+
+	m.Lock()
+	m.Team.MoreChannels = mmchannels
+	m.Unlock()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateChannelHeader(channelId string, header string) { //nolint:golint
+	channel := &model.Channel{Id: channelId, Header: header}
+	m.log.Debugf("updating channelheader %#v, %#v", channelId, header)
+	_, resp := m.Client.UpdateChannel(channel)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		log.Error(resp.Error)
+	}
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateLastViewed(channelId string) error { //nolint:golint
+	m.log.Debugf("posting lastview %#v", channelId)
+	view := &model.ChannelView{ChannelId: channelId}
+	_, resp := m.Client.ViewChannel(m.User.Id, view)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		m.log.Errorf("ChannelView update for %s failed: %s", channelId, resp.Error)
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/matterclient/helpers.go b/matterclient/helpers.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..74936abf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matterclient/helpers.go
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+package matterclient
+
+import (
+	"crypto/md5"
+	"crypto/tls"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
+	"net/http/cookiejar"
+	"net/url"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/gorilla/websocket"
+	"github.com/jpillora/backoff"
+	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/model"
+)
+
+func (m *MMClient) doLogin(firstConnection bool, b *backoff.Backoff) error {
+	var resp *model.Response
+	var appErr *model.AppError
+	var logmsg = "trying login"
+	var err error
+	for {
+		m.log.Debugf("%s %s %s %s", logmsg, m.Credentials.Team, m.Credentials.Login, m.Credentials.Server)
+		if m.Credentials.Token != "" {
+			resp, err = m.doLoginToken()
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+		} else {
+			m.User, resp = m.Client.Login(m.Credentials.Login, m.Credentials.Pass)
+		}
+		appErr = resp.Error
+		if appErr != nil {
+			d := b.Duration()
+			m.log.Debug(appErr.DetailedError)
+			if firstConnection {
+				if appErr.Message == "" {
+					return errors.New(appErr.DetailedError)
+				}
+				return errors.New(appErr.Message)
+			}
+			m.log.Debugf("LOGIN: %s, reconnecting in %s", appErr, d)
+			time.Sleep(d)
+			logmsg = "retrying login"
+			continue
+		}
+		break
+	}
+	// reset timer
+	b.Reset()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) doLoginToken() (*model.Response, error) {
+	var resp *model.Response
+	var logmsg = "trying login"
+	m.Client.AuthType = model.HEADER_BEARER
+	m.Client.AuthToken = m.Credentials.Token
+	if m.Credentials.CookieToken {
+		m.log.Debugf(logmsg + " with cookie (MMAUTH) token")
+		m.Client.HttpClient.Jar = m.createCookieJar(m.Credentials.Token)
+	} else {
+		m.log.Debugf(logmsg + " with personal token")
+	}
+	m.User, resp = m.Client.GetMe("")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp, resp.Error
+	}
+	if m.User == nil {
+		m.log.Errorf("LOGIN TOKEN: %s is invalid", m.Credentials.Pass)
+		return resp, errors.New("invalid token")
+	}
+	return resp, nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) handleLoginToken() error {
+	switch {
+	case strings.Contains(m.Credentials.Pass, model.SESSION_COOKIE_TOKEN):
+		token := strings.Split(m.Credentials.Pass, model.SESSION_COOKIE_TOKEN+"=")
+		if len(token) != 2 {
+			return errors.New("incorrect MMAUTHTOKEN. valid input is MMAUTHTOKEN=yourtoken")
+		}
+		m.Credentials.Token = token[1]
+		m.Credentials.CookieToken = true
+	case strings.Contains(m.Credentials.Pass, "token="):
+		token := strings.Split(m.Credentials.Pass, "token=")
+		if len(token) != 2 {
+			return errors.New("incorrect personal token. valid input is token=yourtoken")
+		}
+		m.Credentials.Token = token[1]
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) initClient(firstConnection bool, b *backoff.Backoff) error {
+	uriScheme := "https://"
+	if m.NoTLS {
+		uriScheme = "http://"
+	}
+	// login to mattermost
+	m.Client = model.NewAPIv4Client(uriScheme + m.Credentials.Server)
+	m.Client.HttpClient.Transport = &http.Transport{TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: m.SkipTLSVerify}, Proxy: http.ProxyFromEnvironment}
+	m.Client.HttpClient.Timeout = time.Second * 10
+
+	// handle MMAUTHTOKEN and personal token
+	if err := m.handleLoginToken(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// check if server alive, retry until
+	if err := m.serverAlive(firstConnection, b); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// initialize user and teams
+func (m *MMClient) initUser() error {
+	m.Lock()
+	defer m.Unlock()
+	// we only load all team data on initial login.
+	// all other updates are for channels from our (primary) team only.
+	//m.log.Debug("initUser(): loading all team data")
+	teams, resp := m.Client.GetTeamsForUser(m.User.Id, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	for _, team := range teams {
+		mmusers, resp := m.Client.GetUsersInTeam(team.Id, 0, 50000, "")
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
+		}
+		usermap := make(map[string]*model.User)
+		for _, user := range mmusers {
+			usermap[user.Id] = user
+		}
+
+		t := &Team{Team: team, Users: usermap, Id: team.Id}
+
+		mmchannels, resp := m.Client.GetChannelsForTeamForUser(team.Id, m.User.Id, "")
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			return resp.Error
+		}
+		t.Channels = mmchannels
+		mmchannels, resp = m.Client.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(team.Id, 0, 5000, "")
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			return resp.Error
+		}
+		t.MoreChannels = mmchannels
+		m.OtherTeams = append(m.OtherTeams, t)
+		if team.Name == m.Credentials.Team {
+			m.Team = t
+			m.log.Debugf("initUser(): found our team %s (id: %s)", team.Name, team.Id)
+		}
+		// add all users
+		for k, v := range t.Users {
+			m.Users[k] = v
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) serverAlive(firstConnection bool, b *backoff.Backoff) error {
+	defer b.Reset()
+	for {
+		d := b.Duration()
+		// bogus call to get the serverversion
+		_, resp := m.Client.Logout()
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("%#v", resp.Error.Error())
+		}
+		if firstConnection && !supportedVersion(resp.ServerVersion) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("unsupported mattermost version: %s", resp.ServerVersion)
+		}
+		m.ServerVersion = resp.ServerVersion
+		if m.ServerVersion == "" {
+			m.log.Debugf("Server not up yet, reconnecting in %s", d)
+			time.Sleep(d)
+		} else {
+			m.log.Infof("Found version %s", m.ServerVersion)
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) wsConnect() {
+	b := &backoff.Backoff{
+		Min:    time.Second,
+		Max:    5 * time.Minute,
+		Jitter: true,
+	}
+
+	m.WsConnected = false
+	wsScheme := "wss://"
+	if m.NoTLS {
+		wsScheme = "ws://"
+	}
+
+	// setup websocket connection
+	wsurl := wsScheme + m.Credentials.Server + model.API_URL_SUFFIX_V4 + "/websocket"
+	header := http.Header{}
+	header.Set(model.HEADER_AUTH, "BEARER "+m.Client.AuthToken)
+
+	m.log.Debugf("WsClient: making connection: %s", wsurl)
+	for {
+		wsDialer := &websocket.Dialer{Proxy: http.ProxyFromEnvironment, TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: m.SkipTLSVerify}}
+		var err error
+		m.WsClient, _, err = wsDialer.Dial(wsurl, header)
+		if err != nil {
+			d := b.Duration()
+			m.log.Debugf("WSS: %s, reconnecting in %s", err, d)
+			time.Sleep(d)
+			continue
+		}
+		break
+	}
+
+	m.log.Debug("WsClient: connected")
+	m.WsSequence = 1
+	m.WsPingChan = make(chan *model.WebSocketResponse)
+	// only start to parse WS messages when login is completely done
+	m.WsConnected = true
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) createCookieJar(token string) *cookiejar.Jar {
+	var cookies []*http.Cookie
+	jar, _ := cookiejar.New(nil)
+	firstCookie := &http.Cookie{
+		Name:   "MMAUTHTOKEN",
+		Value:  token,
+		Path:   "/",
+		Domain: m.Credentials.Server,
+	}
+	cookies = append(cookies, firstCookie)
+	cookieURL, _ := url.Parse("https://" + m.Credentials.Server)
+	jar.SetCookies(cookieURL, cookies)
+	return jar
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) checkAlive() error {
+	// check if session still is valid
+	_, resp := m.Client.GetMe("")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	m.log.Debug("WS PING")
+	return m.sendWSRequest("ping", nil)
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) sendWSRequest(action string, data map[string]interface{}) error {
+	req := &model.WebSocketRequest{}
+	req.Seq = m.WsSequence
+	req.Action = action
+	req.Data = data
+	m.WsSequence++
+	m.log.Debugf("sendWsRequest %#v", req)
+	m.WsClient.WriteJSON(req)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func supportedVersion(version string) bool {
+	if strings.HasPrefix(version, "3.8.0") ||
+		strings.HasPrefix(version, "3.9.0") ||
+		strings.HasPrefix(version, "3.10.0") ||
+		strings.HasPrefix(version, "4.") ||
+		strings.HasPrefix(version, "5.") {
+		return true
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func digestString(s string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%x", md5.Sum([]byte(s)))
+}
diff --git a/matterclient/matterclient.go b/matterclient/matterclient.go
index d4c99255..4997011b 100644
--- a/matterclient/matterclient.go
+++ b/matterclient/matterclient.go
@@ -1,14 +1,8 @@
 package matterclient
 
 import (
-	"crypto/md5"
-	"crypto/tls"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"net/http"
-	"net/http/cookiejar"
-	"net/url"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -110,101 +104,17 @@ func (m *MMClient) Login() error {
 		Max:    5 * time.Minute,
 		Jitter: true,
 	}
-	uriScheme := "https://"
-	if m.NoTLS {
-		uriScheme = "http://"
-	}
-	// login to mattermost
-	m.Client = model.NewAPIv4Client(uriScheme + m.Credentials.Server)
-	m.Client.HttpClient.Transport = &http.Transport{TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: m.SkipTLSVerify}, Proxy: http.ProxyFromEnvironment}
-	m.Client.HttpClient.Timeout = time.Second * 10
 
-	if strings.Contains(m.Credentials.Pass, model.SESSION_COOKIE_TOKEN) {
-		token := strings.Split(m.Credentials.Pass, model.SESSION_COOKIE_TOKEN+"=")
-		if len(token) != 2 {
-			return errors.New("incorrect MMAUTHTOKEN. valid input is MMAUTHTOKEN=yourtoken")
-		}
-		m.Credentials.Token = token[1]
-		m.Credentials.CookieToken = true
+	// do initialization setup
+	if err := m.initClient(firstConnection, b); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 
-	if strings.Contains(m.Credentials.Pass, "token=") {
-		token := strings.Split(m.Credentials.Pass, "token=")
-		if len(token) != 2 {
-			return errors.New("incorrect personal token. valid input is token=yourtoken")
-		}
-		m.Credentials.Token = token[1]
+	if err := m.doLogin(firstConnection, b); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 
-	for {
-		d := b.Duration()
-		// bogus call to get the serverversion
-		_, resp := m.Client.Logout()
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("%#v", resp.Error.Error())
-		}
-		if firstConnection && !supportedVersion(resp.ServerVersion) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("unsupported mattermost version: %s", resp.ServerVersion)
-		}
-		m.ServerVersion = resp.ServerVersion
-		if m.ServerVersion == "" {
-			m.log.Debugf("Server not up yet, reconnecting in %s", d)
-			time.Sleep(d)
-		} else {
-			m.log.Infof("Found version %s", m.ServerVersion)
-			break
-		}
-	}
-	b.Reset()
-
-	var resp *model.Response
-	//var myinfo *model.Result
-	var appErr *model.AppError
-	var logmsg = "trying login"
-	for {
-		m.log.Debugf("%s %s %s %s", logmsg, m.Credentials.Team, m.Credentials.Login, m.Credentials.Server)
-		if m.Credentials.Token != "" {
-			m.Client.AuthType = model.HEADER_BEARER
-			m.Client.AuthToken = m.Credentials.Token
-			if m.Credentials.CookieToken {
-				m.log.Debugf(logmsg + " with cookie (MMAUTH) token")
-				m.Client.HttpClient.Jar = m.createCookieJar(m.Credentials.Token)
-			} else {
-				m.log.Debugf(logmsg + " with personal token")
-			}
-			m.User, resp = m.Client.GetMe("")
-			if resp.Error != nil {
-				return resp.Error
-			}
-			if m.User == nil {
-				m.log.Errorf("LOGIN TOKEN: %s is invalid", m.Credentials.Pass)
-				return errors.New("invalid token")
-			}
-		} else {
-			m.User, resp = m.Client.Login(m.Credentials.Login, m.Credentials.Pass)
-		}
-		appErr = resp.Error
-		if appErr != nil {
-			d := b.Duration()
-			m.log.Debug(appErr.DetailedError)
-			if firstConnection {
-				if appErr.Message == "" {
-					return errors.New(appErr.DetailedError)
-				}
-				return errors.New(appErr.Message)
-			}
-			m.log.Debugf("LOGIN: %s, reconnecting in %s", appErr, d)
-			time.Sleep(d)
-			logmsg = "retrying login"
-			continue
-		}
-		break
-	}
-	// reset timer
-	b.Reset()
-
-	err := m.initUser()
-	if err != nil {
+	if err := m.initUser(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -221,45 +131,6 @@ func (m *MMClient) Login() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (m *MMClient) wsConnect() {
-	b := &backoff.Backoff{
-		Min:    time.Second,
-		Max:    5 * time.Minute,
-		Jitter: true,
-	}
-
-	m.WsConnected = false
-	wsScheme := "wss://"
-	if m.NoTLS {
-		wsScheme = "ws://"
-	}
-
-	// setup websocket connection
-	wsurl := wsScheme + m.Credentials.Server + model.API_URL_SUFFIX_V4 + "/websocket"
-	header := http.Header{}
-	header.Set(model.HEADER_AUTH, "BEARER "+m.Client.AuthToken)
-
-	m.log.Debugf("WsClient: making connection: %s", wsurl)
-	for {
-		wsDialer := &websocket.Dialer{Proxy: http.ProxyFromEnvironment, TLSClientConfig: &tls.Config{InsecureSkipVerify: m.SkipTLSVerify}}
-		var err error
-		m.WsClient, _, err = wsDialer.Dial(wsurl, header)
-		if err != nil {
-			d := b.Duration()
-			m.log.Debugf("WSS: %s, reconnecting in %s", err, d)
-			time.Sleep(d)
-			continue
-		}
-		break
-	}
-
-	m.log.Debug("WsClient: connected")
-	m.WsSequence = 1
-	m.WsPingChan = make(chan *model.WebSocketResponse)
-	// only start to parse WS messages when login is completely done
-	m.WsConnected = true
-}
-
 func (m *MMClient) Logout() error {
 	m.log.Debugf("logout as %s (team: %s) on %s", m.Credentials.Login, m.Credentials.Team, m.Credentials.Server)
 	m.WsQuit = true
@@ -325,572 +196,6 @@ func (m *MMClient) WsReceiver() {
 	}
 }
 
-func (m *MMClient) parseMessage(rmsg *Message) {
-	switch rmsg.Raw.Event {
-	case model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POSTED, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POST_EDITED, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POST_DELETED:
-		m.parseActionPost(rmsg)
-	case "user_updated":
-		user := rmsg.Raw.Data["user"].(map[string]interface{})
-		if _, ok := user["id"].(string); ok {
-			m.UpdateUser(user["id"].(string))
-		}
-	case "group_added":
-		m.UpdateChannels()
-		/*
-			case model.ACTION_USER_REMOVED:
-				m.handleWsActionUserRemoved(&rmsg)
-			case model.ACTION_USER_ADDED:
-				m.handleWsActionUserAdded(&rmsg)
-		*/
-	}
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) parseResponse(rmsg model.WebSocketResponse) {
-	if rmsg.Data != nil {
-		// ping reply
-		if rmsg.Data["text"].(string) == "pong" {
-			m.WsPingChan <- &rmsg
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) parseActionPost(rmsg *Message) {
-	// add post to cache, if it already exists don't relay this again.
-	// this should fix reposts
-	if ok, _ := m.lruCache.ContainsOrAdd(digestString(rmsg.Raw.Data["post"].(string)), true); ok {
-		m.log.Debugf("message %#v in cache, not processing again", rmsg.Raw.Data["post"].(string))
-		rmsg.Text = ""
-		return
-	}
-	data := model.PostFromJson(strings.NewReader(rmsg.Raw.Data["post"].(string)))
-	// we don't have the user, refresh the userlist
-	if m.GetUser(data.UserId) == nil {
-		m.log.Infof("User '%v' is not known, ignoring message '%#v'",
-			data.UserId, data)
-		return
-	}
-	rmsg.Username = m.GetUserName(data.UserId)
-	rmsg.Channel = m.GetChannelName(data.ChannelId)
-	rmsg.UserID = data.UserId
-	rmsg.Type = data.Type
-	teamid, _ := rmsg.Raw.Data["team_id"].(string)
-	// edit messsages have no team_id for some reason
-	if teamid == "" {
-		// we can find the team_id from the channelid
-		teamid = m.GetChannelTeamId(data.ChannelId)
-		rmsg.Raw.Data["team_id"] = teamid
-	}
-	if teamid != "" {
-		rmsg.Team = m.GetTeamName(teamid)
-	}
-	// direct message
-	if rmsg.Raw.Data["channel_type"] == "D" {
-		rmsg.Channel = m.GetUser(data.UserId).Username
-	}
-	rmsg.Text = data.Message
-	rmsg.Post = data
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateUsers() error {
-	mmusers, resp := m.Client.GetUsers(0, 50000, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
-	}
-	m.Lock()
-	for _, user := range mmusers {
-		m.Users[user.Id] = user
-	}
-	m.Unlock()
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateChannels() error {
-	mmchannels, resp := m.Client.GetChannelsForTeamForUser(m.Team.Id, m.User.Id, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
-	}
-	m.Lock()
-	m.Team.Channels = mmchannels
-	m.Unlock()
-
-	mmchannels, resp = m.Client.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(m.Team.Id, 0, 5000, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
-	}
-
-	m.Lock()
-	m.Team.MoreChannels = mmchannels
-	m.Unlock()
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetChannelName(channelId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		if t == nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		if t.Channels != nil {
-			for _, channel := range t.Channels {
-				if channel.Id == channelId {
-					if channel.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
-						res := strings.Replace(channel.DisplayName, ", ", "-", -1)
-						res = strings.Replace(res, " ", "_", -1)
-						return res
-					}
-					return channel.Name
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		if t.MoreChannels != nil {
-			for _, channel := range t.MoreChannels {
-				if channel.Id == channelId {
-					if channel.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
-						res := strings.Replace(channel.DisplayName, ", ", "-", -1)
-						res = strings.Replace(res, " ", "_", -1)
-						return res
-					}
-					return channel.Name
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetChannelId(name string, teamId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	if teamId == "" {
-		for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-			for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
-				if channel.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
-					res := strings.Replace(channel.DisplayName, ", ", "-", -1)
-					res = strings.Replace(res, " ", "_", -1)
-					if res == name {
-						return channel.Id
-					}
-				}
-
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		if t.Id == teamId {
-			for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
-				if channel.Name == name {
-					return channel.Id
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetChannelTeamId(id string) string { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	for _, t := range append(m.OtherTeams, m.Team) {
-		for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
-			if channel.Id == id {
-				return channel.TeamId
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetChannelHeader(channelId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		for _, channel := range append(t.Channels, t.MoreChannels...) {
-			if channel.Id == channelId {
-				return channel.Header
-			}
-
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) PostMessage(channelId string, text string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
-	post := &model.Post{ChannelId: channelId, Message: text}
-	res, resp := m.Client.CreatePost(post)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return "", resp.Error
-	}
-	return res.Id, nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) PostMessageWithFiles(channelId string, text string, fileIds []string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
-	post := &model.Post{ChannelId: channelId, Message: text, FileIds: fileIds}
-	res, resp := m.Client.CreatePost(post)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return "", resp.Error
-	}
-	return res.Id, nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) EditMessage(postId string, text string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
-	post := &model.Post{Message: text}
-	res, resp := m.Client.UpdatePost(postId, post)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return "", resp.Error
-	}
-	return res.Id, nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) DeleteMessage(postId string) error { //nolint:golint
-	_, resp := m.Client.DeletePost(postId)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) JoinChannel(channelId string) error { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	for _, c := range m.Team.Channels {
-		if c.Id == channelId {
-			m.log.Debug("Not joining ", channelId, " already joined.")
-			return nil
-		}
-	}
-	m.log.Debug("Joining ", channelId)
-	_, resp := m.Client.AddChannelMember(channelId, m.User.Id)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetPostsSince(channelId string, time int64) *model.PostList { //nolint:golint
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetPostsSince(channelId, time)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return res
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) SearchPosts(query string) *model.PostList {
-	res, resp := m.Client.SearchPosts(m.Team.Id, query, false)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return res
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetPosts(channelId string, limit int) *model.PostList { //nolint:golint
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetPostsForChannel(channelId, 0, limit, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return nil
-	}
-	return res
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetPublicLink(filename string) string {
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetFileLink(filename)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-	return res
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetPublicLinks(filenames []string) []string {
-	var output []string
-	for _, f := range filenames {
-		res, resp := m.Client.GetFileLink(f)
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			continue
-		}
-		output = append(output, res)
-	}
-	return output
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetFileLinks(filenames []string) []string {
-	uriScheme := "https://"
-	if m.NoTLS {
-		uriScheme = "http://"
-	}
-
-	var output []string
-	for _, f := range filenames {
-		res, resp := m.Client.GetFileLink(f)
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			// public links is probably disabled, create the link ourselves
-			output = append(output, uriScheme+m.Credentials.Server+model.API_URL_SUFFIX_V4+"/files/"+f)
-			continue
-		}
-		output = append(output, res)
-	}
-	return output
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateChannelHeader(channelId string, header string) { //nolint:golint
-	channel := &model.Channel{Id: channelId, Header: header}
-	m.log.Debugf("updating channelheader %#v, %#v", channelId, header)
-	_, resp := m.Client.UpdateChannel(channel)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		log.Error(resp.Error)
-	}
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateLastViewed(channelId string) error { //nolint:golint
-	m.log.Debugf("posting lastview %#v", channelId)
-	view := &model.ChannelView{ChannelId: channelId}
-	_, resp := m.Client.ViewChannel(m.User.Id, view)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		m.log.Errorf("ChannelView update for %s failed: %s", channelId, resp.Error)
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateUserNick(nick string) error {
-	user := m.User
-	user.Nickname = nick
-	_, resp := m.Client.UpdateUser(user)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UsernamesInChannel(channelId string) []string { //nolint:golint
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetChannelMembers(channelId, 0, 50000, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		m.log.Errorf("UsernamesInChannel(%s) failed: %s", channelId, resp.Error)
-		return []string{}
-	}
-	allusers := m.GetUsers()
-	result := []string{}
-	for _, member := range *res {
-		result = append(result, allusers[member.UserId].Nickname)
-	}
-	return result
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) createCookieJar(token string) *cookiejar.Jar {
-	var cookies []*http.Cookie
-	jar, _ := cookiejar.New(nil)
-	firstCookie := &http.Cookie{
-		Name:   "MMAUTHTOKEN",
-		Value:  token,
-		Path:   "/",
-		Domain: m.Credentials.Server,
-	}
-	cookies = append(cookies, firstCookie)
-	cookieURL, _ := url.Parse("https://" + m.Credentials.Server)
-	jar.SetCookies(cookieURL, cookies)
-	return jar
-}
-
-// SendDirectMessage sends a direct message to specified user
-func (m *MMClient) SendDirectMessage(toUserId string, msg string) { //nolint:golint
-	m.SendDirectMessageProps(toUserId, msg, nil)
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) SendDirectMessageProps(toUserId string, msg string, props map[string]interface{}) { //nolint:golint
-	m.log.Debugf("SendDirectMessage to %s, msg %s", toUserId, msg)
-	// create DM channel (only happens on first message)
-	_, resp := m.Client.CreateDirectChannel(m.User.Id, toUserId)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		m.log.Debugf("SendDirectMessage to %#v failed: %s", toUserId, resp.Error)
-		return
-	}
-	channelName := model.GetDMNameFromIds(toUserId, m.User.Id)
-
-	// update our channels
-	m.UpdateChannels()
-
-	// build & send the message
-	msg = strings.Replace(msg, "\r", "", -1)
-	post := &model.Post{ChannelId: m.GetChannelId(channelName, m.Team.Id), Message: msg, Props: props}
-	m.Client.CreatePost(post)
-}
-
-// GetTeamName returns the name of the specified teamId
-func (m *MMClient) GetTeamName(teamId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		if t.Id == teamId {
-			return t.Team.Name
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-// GetChannels returns all channels we're members off
-func (m *MMClient) GetChannels() []*model.Channel {
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	var channels []*model.Channel
-	// our primary team channels first
-	channels = append(channels, m.Team.Channels...)
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		if t.Id != m.Team.Id {
-			channels = append(channels, t.Channels...)
-		}
-	}
-	return channels
-}
-
-// GetMoreChannels returns existing channels where we're not a member off.
-func (m *MMClient) GetMoreChannels() []*model.Channel {
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	var channels []*model.Channel
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		channels = append(channels, t.MoreChannels...)
-	}
-	return channels
-}
-
-// GetTeamFromChannel returns teamId belonging to channel (DM channels have no teamId).
-func (m *MMClient) GetTeamFromChannel(channelId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	var channels []*model.Channel
-	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
-		channels = append(channels, t.Channels...)
-		if t.MoreChannels != nil {
-			channels = append(channels, t.MoreChannels...)
-		}
-		for _, c := range channels {
-			if c.Id == channelId {
-				if c.Type == model.CHANNEL_GROUP {
-					return "G"
-				}
-				return t.Id
-			}
-		}
-		channels = nil
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetLastViewedAt(channelId string) int64 { //nolint:golint
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetChannelMember(channelId, m.User.Id, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return model.GetMillis()
-	}
-	return res.LastViewedAt
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetUsers() map[string]*model.User {
-	users := make(map[string]*model.User)
-	m.RLock()
-	defer m.RUnlock()
-	for k, v := range m.Users {
-		users[k] = v
-	}
-	return users
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetUser(userId string) *model.User { //nolint:golint
-	m.Lock()
-	defer m.Unlock()
-	_, ok := m.Users[userId]
-	if !ok {
-		res, resp := m.Client.GetUser(userId, "")
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-		m.Users[userId] = res
-	}
-	return m.Users[userId]
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateUser(userId string) { //nolint:golint
-	m.Lock()
-	defer m.Unlock()
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetUser(userId, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return
-	}
-	m.Users[userId] = res
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetUserName(userId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	user := m.GetUser(userId)
-	if user != nil {
-		return user.Username
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetNickName(userId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	user := m.GetUser(userId)
-	if user != nil {
-		return user.Nickname
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetStatus(userId string) string { //nolint:golint
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetUserStatus(userId, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return ""
-	}
-	if res.Status == model.STATUS_AWAY {
-		return "away"
-	}
-	if res.Status == model.STATUS_ONLINE {
-		return "online"
-	}
-	return "offline"
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UpdateStatus(userId string, status string) error { //nolint:golint
-	_, resp := m.Client.UpdateUserStatus(userId, &model.Status{Status: status})
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetStatuses() map[string]string {
-	var ids []string
-	statuses := make(map[string]string)
-	for id := range m.Users {
-		ids = append(ids, id)
-	}
-	res, resp := m.Client.GetUsersStatusesByIds(ids)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return statuses
-	}
-	for _, status := range res {
-		statuses[status.UserId] = "offline"
-		if status.Status == model.STATUS_AWAY {
-			statuses[status.UserId] = "away"
-		}
-		if status.Status == model.STATUS_ONLINE {
-			statuses[status.UserId] = "online"
-		}
-	}
-	return statuses
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) GetTeamId() string { //nolint:golint
-	return m.Team.Id
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) UploadFile(data []byte, channelId string, filename string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
-	f, resp := m.Client.UploadFile(data, channelId, filename)
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return "", resp.Error
-	}
-	return f.FileInfos[0].Id, nil
-}
-
 func (m *MMClient) StatusLoop() {
 	retries := 0
 	backoff := time.Second * 60
@@ -931,85 +236,3 @@ func (m *MMClient) StatusLoop() {
 		time.Sleep(backoff)
 	}
 }
-
-// initialize user and teams
-func (m *MMClient) initUser() error {
-	m.Lock()
-	defer m.Unlock()
-	// we only load all team data on initial login.
-	// all other updates are for channels from our (primary) team only.
-	//m.log.Debug("initUser(): loading all team data")
-	teams, resp := m.Client.GetTeamsForUser(m.User.Id, "")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	for _, team := range teams {
-		mmusers, resp := m.Client.GetUsersInTeam(team.Id, 0, 50000, "")
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
-		}
-		usermap := make(map[string]*model.User)
-		for _, user := range mmusers {
-			usermap[user.Id] = user
-		}
-
-		t := &Team{Team: team, Users: usermap, Id: team.Id}
-
-		mmchannels, resp := m.Client.GetChannelsForTeamForUser(team.Id, m.User.Id, "")
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			return resp.Error
-		}
-		t.Channels = mmchannels
-		mmchannels, resp = m.Client.GetPublicChannelsForTeam(team.Id, 0, 5000, "")
-		if resp.Error != nil {
-			return resp.Error
-		}
-		t.MoreChannels = mmchannels
-		m.OtherTeams = append(m.OtherTeams, t)
-		if team.Name == m.Credentials.Team {
-			m.Team = t
-			m.log.Debugf("initUser(): found our team %s (id: %s)", team.Name, team.Id)
-		}
-		// add all users
-		for k, v := range t.Users {
-			m.Users[k] = v
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) checkAlive() error {
-	// check if session still is valid
-	_, resp := m.Client.GetMe("")
-	if resp.Error != nil {
-		return resp.Error
-	}
-	m.log.Debug("WS PING")
-	return m.sendWSRequest("ping", nil)
-}
-
-func (m *MMClient) sendWSRequest(action string, data map[string]interface{}) error {
-	req := &model.WebSocketRequest{}
-	req.Seq = m.WsSequence
-	req.Action = action
-	req.Data = data
-	m.WsSequence++
-	m.log.Debugf("sendWsRequest %#v", req)
-	m.WsClient.WriteJSON(req)
-	return nil
-}
-
-func supportedVersion(version string) bool {
-	if strings.HasPrefix(version, "3.8.0") ||
-		strings.HasPrefix(version, "3.9.0") ||
-		strings.HasPrefix(version, "3.10.0") ||
-		strings.HasPrefix(version, "4.") ||
-		strings.HasPrefix(version, "5.") {
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func digestString(s string) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%x", md5.Sum([]byte(s)))
-}
diff --git a/matterclient/messages.go b/matterclient/messages.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..28e3ec28
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matterclient/messages.go
@@ -0,0 +1,203 @@
+package matterclient
+
+import (
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/model"
+)
+
+func (m *MMClient) parseActionPost(rmsg *Message) {
+	// add post to cache, if it already exists don't relay this again.
+	// this should fix reposts
+	if ok, _ := m.lruCache.ContainsOrAdd(digestString(rmsg.Raw.Data["post"].(string)), true); ok {
+		m.log.Debugf("message %#v in cache, not processing again", rmsg.Raw.Data["post"].(string))
+		rmsg.Text = ""
+		return
+	}
+	data := model.PostFromJson(strings.NewReader(rmsg.Raw.Data["post"].(string)))
+	// we don't have the user, refresh the userlist
+	if m.GetUser(data.UserId) == nil {
+		m.log.Infof("User '%v' is not known, ignoring message '%#v'",
+			data.UserId, data)
+		return
+	}
+	rmsg.Username = m.GetUserName(data.UserId)
+	rmsg.Channel = m.GetChannelName(data.ChannelId)
+	rmsg.UserID = data.UserId
+	rmsg.Type = data.Type
+	teamid, _ := rmsg.Raw.Data["team_id"].(string)
+	// edit messsages have no team_id for some reason
+	if teamid == "" {
+		// we can find the team_id from the channelid
+		teamid = m.GetChannelTeamId(data.ChannelId)
+		rmsg.Raw.Data["team_id"] = teamid
+	}
+	if teamid != "" {
+		rmsg.Team = m.GetTeamName(teamid)
+	}
+	// direct message
+	if rmsg.Raw.Data["channel_type"] == "D" {
+		rmsg.Channel = m.GetUser(data.UserId).Username
+	}
+	rmsg.Text = data.Message
+	rmsg.Post = data
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) parseMessage(rmsg *Message) {
+	switch rmsg.Raw.Event {
+	case model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POSTED, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POST_EDITED, model.WEBSOCKET_EVENT_POST_DELETED:
+		m.parseActionPost(rmsg)
+	case "user_updated":
+		user := rmsg.Raw.Data["user"].(map[string]interface{})
+		if _, ok := user["id"].(string); ok {
+			m.UpdateUser(user["id"].(string))
+		}
+	case "group_added":
+		m.UpdateChannels()
+		/*
+			case model.ACTION_USER_REMOVED:
+				m.handleWsActionUserRemoved(&rmsg)
+			case model.ACTION_USER_ADDED:
+				m.handleWsActionUserAdded(&rmsg)
+		*/
+	}
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) parseResponse(rmsg model.WebSocketResponse) {
+	if rmsg.Data != nil {
+		// ping reply
+		if rmsg.Data["text"].(string) == "pong" {
+			m.WsPingChan <- &rmsg
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) DeleteMessage(postId string) error { //nolint:golint
+	_, resp := m.Client.DeletePost(postId)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) EditMessage(postId string, text string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
+	post := &model.Post{Message: text}
+	res, resp := m.Client.UpdatePost(postId, post)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return "", resp.Error
+	}
+	return res.Id, nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetFileLinks(filenames []string) []string {
+	uriScheme := "https://"
+	if m.NoTLS {
+		uriScheme = "http://"
+	}
+
+	var output []string
+	for _, f := range filenames {
+		res, resp := m.Client.GetFileLink(f)
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			// public links is probably disabled, create the link ourselves
+			output = append(output, uriScheme+m.Credentials.Server+model.API_URL_SUFFIX_V4+"/files/"+f)
+			continue
+		}
+		output = append(output, res)
+	}
+	return output
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetPosts(channelId string, limit int) *model.PostList { //nolint:golint
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetPostsForChannel(channelId, 0, limit, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return res
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetPostsSince(channelId string, time int64) *model.PostList { //nolint:golint
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetPostsSince(channelId, time)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return res
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetPublicLink(filename string) string {
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetFileLink(filename)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	return res
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetPublicLinks(filenames []string) []string {
+	var output []string
+	for _, f := range filenames {
+		res, resp := m.Client.GetFileLink(f)
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		output = append(output, res)
+	}
+	return output
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) PostMessage(channelId string, text string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
+	post := &model.Post{ChannelId: channelId, Message: text}
+	res, resp := m.Client.CreatePost(post)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return "", resp.Error
+	}
+	return res.Id, nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) PostMessageWithFiles(channelId string, text string, fileIds []string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
+	post := &model.Post{ChannelId: channelId, Message: text, FileIds: fileIds}
+	res, resp := m.Client.CreatePost(post)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return "", resp.Error
+	}
+	return res.Id, nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) SearchPosts(query string) *model.PostList {
+	res, resp := m.Client.SearchPosts(m.Team.Id, query, false)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return res
+}
+
+// SendDirectMessage sends a direct message to specified user
+func (m *MMClient) SendDirectMessage(toUserId string, msg string) { //nolint:golint
+	m.SendDirectMessageProps(toUserId, msg, nil)
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) SendDirectMessageProps(toUserId string, msg string, props map[string]interface{}) { //nolint:golint
+	m.log.Debugf("SendDirectMessage to %s, msg %s", toUserId, msg)
+	// create DM channel (only happens on first message)
+	_, resp := m.Client.CreateDirectChannel(m.User.Id, toUserId)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		m.log.Debugf("SendDirectMessage to %#v failed: %s", toUserId, resp.Error)
+		return
+	}
+	channelName := model.GetDMNameFromIds(toUserId, m.User.Id)
+
+	// update our channels
+	m.UpdateChannels()
+
+	// build & send the message
+	msg = strings.Replace(msg, "\r", "", -1)
+	post := &model.Post{ChannelId: m.GetChannelId(channelName, m.Team.Id), Message: msg, Props: props}
+	m.Client.CreatePost(post)
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UploadFile(data []byte, channelId string, filename string) (string, error) { //nolint:golint
+	f, resp := m.Client.UploadFile(data, channelId, filename)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return "", resp.Error
+	}
+	return f.FileInfos[0].Id, nil
+}
diff --git a/matterclient/users.go b/matterclient/users.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3dea7ce5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/matterclient/users.go
@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+package matterclient
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+
+	"github.com/mattermost/mattermost-server/model"
+)
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetNickName(userId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	user := m.GetUser(userId)
+	if user != nil {
+		return user.Nickname
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetStatus(userId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetUserStatus(userId, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if res.Status == model.STATUS_AWAY {
+		return "away"
+	}
+	if res.Status == model.STATUS_ONLINE {
+		return "online"
+	}
+	return "offline"
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetStatuses() map[string]string {
+	var ids []string
+	statuses := make(map[string]string)
+	for id := range m.Users {
+		ids = append(ids, id)
+	}
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetUsersStatusesByIds(ids)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return statuses
+	}
+	for _, status := range res {
+		statuses[status.UserId] = "offline"
+		if status.Status == model.STATUS_AWAY {
+			statuses[status.UserId] = "away"
+		}
+		if status.Status == model.STATUS_ONLINE {
+			statuses[status.UserId] = "online"
+		}
+	}
+	return statuses
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetTeamId() string { //nolint:golint
+	return m.Team.Id
+}
+
+// GetTeamName returns the name of the specified teamId
+func (m *MMClient) GetTeamName(teamId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	for _, t := range m.OtherTeams {
+		if t.Id == teamId {
+			return t.Team.Name
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetUser(userId string) *model.User { //nolint:golint
+	m.Lock()
+	defer m.Unlock()
+	_, ok := m.Users[userId]
+	if !ok {
+		res, resp := m.Client.GetUser(userId, "")
+		if resp.Error != nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+		m.Users[userId] = res
+	}
+	return m.Users[userId]
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetUserName(userId string) string { //nolint:golint
+	user := m.GetUser(userId)
+	if user != nil {
+		return user.Username
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) GetUsers() map[string]*model.User {
+	users := make(map[string]*model.User)
+	m.RLock()
+	defer m.RUnlock()
+	for k, v := range m.Users {
+		users[k] = v
+	}
+	return users
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateUsers() error {
+	mmusers, resp := m.Client.GetUsers(0, 50000, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return errors.New(resp.Error.DetailedError)
+	}
+	m.Lock()
+	for _, user := range mmusers {
+		m.Users[user.Id] = user
+	}
+	m.Unlock()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateUserNick(nick string) error {
+	user := m.User
+	user.Nickname = nick
+	_, resp := m.Client.UpdateUser(user)
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UsernamesInChannel(channelId string) []string { //nolint:golint
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetChannelMembers(channelId, 0, 50000, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		m.log.Errorf("UsernamesInChannel(%s) failed: %s", channelId, resp.Error)
+		return []string{}
+	}
+	allusers := m.GetUsers()
+	result := []string{}
+	for _, member := range *res {
+		result = append(result, allusers[member.UserId].Nickname)
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateStatus(userId string, status string) error { //nolint:golint
+	_, resp := m.Client.UpdateUserStatus(userId, &model.Status{Status: status})
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return resp.Error
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (m *MMClient) UpdateUser(userId string) { //nolint:golint
+	m.Lock()
+	defer m.Unlock()
+	res, resp := m.Client.GetUser(userId, "")
+	if resp.Error != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	m.Users[userId] = res
+}